Palestine
Palestine, officially the State of Palestine, is a state located in the Southern Levant region of West Asia.
Capitals: Jerusalem, Ramallah
President: Mahmoud Abbas
Prime minister: Muhammad Shatayyeh
Population: 4.923 million (2021) World Bank
Official language: Arabic
Government:Parliementary system, unitary state under PLO
Continent: Asia
Palestine's History
Palestine is the cradle of Judaism and Christianity, and it has been ruled by a variety of governments and forces, including Ancient Egypt, Ancient Israel and Judah, the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great and his successors, the Hasmoneans, the Roman Empire, various Muslim caliphates, and the crusaders.
Palestine, formally known as the State of Palestine, has a long history in the West Asian region of the Southern Levant. Throughout history, this country has been home to different civilizations and witnessed the rise and fall of empires. It holds great religious and cultural significance for both Jews and Christians. However, the history of Palestine is also marked by continual war and political battles, particularly with its neighbor Israel.
Throughout history, Palestine has been ruled by various governments and entities. It has been ruled by the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great and his successors, the Hasmoneans, the Roman Empire, numerous Muslim caliphates, and the crusaders, among others. These monarchs have left their footprints on the land, impacting the lives of its people and molding its cultural heritage.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be traced back to the 1947 United Nations partition proposal. The goal of this plan was to separate the British Mandate of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. The establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, triggered the first Arab-Israeli war. Around 750,000 Palestinians were displaced as a result of the conflict, and the area was divided into three parts: the State of Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
Arab opinions on the Middle East situation provide new perspectives on the current conflict. The international community must address the core cause of the current bloodshed and accept responsibility for allowing the conflict to continue. Since 2014, peace initiatives have dwindled, and the occupation has fueled the conflict. The situation will only deteriorate in the absence of a political breakthrough. However, other difficulties stand in the way of progress, including the Israeli government's unwillingness to compromise, the shaky Palestinian leadership, and the US administration's preoccupation with upcoming elections.
It is critical to recognize that no military solution to the problem exists. Ignoring the occupation would simply exacerbate the situation. The international community must refocus its efforts on finding a solution that addresses both Palestine's and Israel's genuine concerns. A resolution to this complex and deeply seated problem becomes more feasible by working toward a political breakthrough and cultivating a culture of compromise.
What is Palestine's historical significance?
Palestine is historically significant as the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity. It has been ruled by a variety of rulers and has endured a protracted and deadly battle with its neighbor, Israel. The international community must increase its efforts to address the conflict's core causes and actively seek a just and enduring resolution. The people of Palestine and Israel can only aspire for a brighter and more peaceful future via political discourse, compromise, and a dedication to peace.
Palestine issue?
In the Levant, there is a continuous military and political struggle between Israel and Palestine. It is one of the world's longest-running conflicts, dating back to the mid-twentieth century.
Palestine Israel Conflict
On October 7, 2023, an armed conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militants from Gaza, following the latter's multi-pronged invasion of southern Israel.
The first Palestinian revolt began in 1987 in reaction to growing violence and an interminable occupation. Following the accomplishment of the 1982 Egyptian-Israeli peace accord, international attempts to resolve the dispute began in the early 1990s.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict began at the turn of the century. The Partition Plan ( Resolution 181), agreed by the United Nations in 1947, attempted to divide the British Mandate of Palestine into Arab and Jewish states. The State of Israel was established on May 14, 1948, igniting the first Arab-Israeli War. Although Israel won the war in 1949, 750,000 Palestinians were expelled, and the land was divided into three parts: the State of Israel, the West Bank (of the Jordan River), and the Gaza Strip. Link
United Nations partition plan of 1947 – Map
Arab Perspectives on the Middle East Crisis:
In the midst of sad loss of life in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the international community must address the root cause of the recent violence. Although the intensity of the Hamas onslaught stunned some, it should not have come as a surprise. The international community bears some of the blame for allowing the conflict to continue and accepting the occupation. Since 2014, no peace initiatives have been undertaken, and the emphasis has turned away from finding a settlement. The international community must know that as long as Israel maintains its occupation, the violence will worsen. The issue need a political breakthrough, but the existing conditions make this difficult. The Israeli government is unwilling to compromise, the Palestinian leadership is frail, and the United States administration is preoccupied with forthcoming elections. Despite the fact that there is no military option, ignoring the occupation would only lead to further disaster.
For more detailsclick the link: Link
"Arab World Condemns Israeli Violence but Takes Little Action"
According to the author of the article "Arab World Condemns Israeli Violence but Takes Little Action," while Arab countries are united in condemning Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the Israeli police's invasion of Jerusalem's Aqsa Mosque, their response has been mostly rhetorical rather than concrete. The region's concerns have altered, with a focus on Iran's influence, popular discontent in Arab countries, and the Arab world's growing acceptance of Israel. Even countries that mended relations with Israel last year, such as the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, have openly denounced Israeli policy and expressed support for Palestinians and Jerusalem's defense. However, the recent uptick in violence has strained their ties with Israel. Link
Timeline of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
From 1947 to the present, learn about the history and key events that have shaped the long-running Middle East conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
Arab nations' responses to Israel's war on Gaza have been poor and flimsy, to say the least, as have their responses to Israel's past four wars on the besieged Palestinian territory. But, unlike Israel's previous assaults, if not stopped, this unfolding slaughter will have far-reaching consequences for the entire Arab world.
Arab leaders were caught off guard and only acted when the Arab public made it clear that it would not tolerate Israeli atrocities against Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians. Although Palestine has been and remains the primary Arab concern, speaking up is all they have done, largely in blather and platitudes. Link
For years, the US has been collaborating with its Persian Gulf partners on what had long thought impossible: mending relations with Israel.
For the Saudis, this has meant working toward official diplomatic relations, for the UAE, it has meant billions of dollars in business transactions, and for Qatar, it has meant intelligence cooperation. The commencement of hostilities between Hamas and Israel now threatens to derail those efforts – and, in some cases, to warm already thawed relations. Link
Protests in support of Palestinians have erupted across the Arab world this week, as Israel faces a huge Hamas offensive and Palestinians in Gaza being bombarded. Despite diverse degrees of diplomatic ties with Israel, Moroccans, Jordanians, Egyptians, and other Arab nations have demonstrated in various sizes. While these protests may appear contradictory in light of the deaths in Israel, it is critical to recognize the broader political factors at work in the Middle East and inside Arab countries themselves.
It is critical to recognize that Hamas' violence does not represent the aspirations of all Palestinians seeking rights and freedoms. The sympathy shown in these protests, however, reflects a deeper frustration with Israel's military occupation of Palestinians since 1967, which has received Western assistance. Furthermore, in largely autocratic governments where freedom of expression is severely restricted, these protests provide a rare venue for political expression.
People in the Arab world have quickly declared support for Palestine, similar to how most American politicians have expressed support for Israel. Protests filled the streets after Friday prayers at Egypt's al-Azhar Mosque. Thousands of Iraqis congregated in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, joined by tens of thousands of Jordanians in the capital and other cities. Hundreds of protestors gathered outside a key mosque in Qatar, joining demonstrators in Lebanon, Oman, Tunisia, and Yemen. These protests included the burning of Israeli flags and yelling against Israel's military campaign.
Without a thorough understanding of the situation and the region's history, some American readers may dismiss the demonstrators as "angry Arabs," perpetuating a disgusting stereotype that has persisted in Western media for a century and was exacerbated following 9/11. While it may be disconcerting for some, the causes driving these protests are profound and will only grow stronger as the current war continues.
For Palestinians and Arabs, the conflict did not begin on October 7 with Hamas's attacks, but has been ongoing since 1948, when militias drove Palestinians from their homes and committed violent actions. The Arab world's growing support for Palestine stems from a long history and current struggle.
'An Embarrassing Time': The Challenges For Arab Nations That Made Peace With Israel'
As combat between Israel and Hamas intensifies, Arab countries that established diplomatic relations with Israel last year are keeping a close eye on the situation. While other Middle Eastern governments have harshly condemned Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been deafeningly silent. The UAE foreign ministry discreetly advised Israel to refrain from measures that undermine the sanctity of Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque. The UAE had earlier called for a stop to the confrontations in Jerusalem, expressing worry about right-wing extremist violence in occupied East Jerusalem. The UAE's and other countries' cautious response shows the delicate balance they must strike between their relationship with Israel and the sentiments of their own citizens. The conflict has received little coverage in UAE state-run newspapers, with little focus on the dead and destruction in Gaza. Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan have all criticized the Al-Aqsa mosque confrontations but have said little about the situation in Gaza. Egypt volunteered to intervene but has yet to receive a response from Israel, while the majority of the region's countries have refused to build relations with Israel until the Palestinian issue is handled. Overall, the fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has strained diplomatic relations between Israel and certain Arab countries, posing a problem for these governments as they negotiate their alliances and public opinion.
The General Assembly is the United Nations' main deliberative organ, comprised of members from all Member States. The issue of Palestine was first raised in the General Assembly in 1947. The Assembly agreed in resolution 181 (II) to divide Palestine into two states, one Arab and one Jewish, with Jerusalem put under a special international jurisdiction. Following the 1948 conflict, the Assembly formed the Conciliation Commission for Palestine (UNCCP) in 1949 to assist the parties in reaching a final settlement while reiterating the rights of Palestine refugees to return and restitution. The same year, the Assembly established UNRWA, a Palestine refugee agency. Link
Israel-Palestine: Is the two-state solution the answer to the crisis?
The European Union (EU) has indicated that it is "ready to contribute to reviving a political process on the basis of the two-state solution" . It has called for a peace conference within six months of the war's end.
"Peace will not come by itself; it has to be built," stated EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. "The only viable solution we know is the two-state solution." And if we only have one option, we must devote all of our political efforts to making it a reality."
Link to the article
Israeli-Palestinian conflict: what hope of a solution?
The so-called "two-state solution"
A "two-state solution," or the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza, is largely seen as the most likely end to the conflict. (Egypt never claimed permanent sovereignty over Gaza, viewing it as a temporary administration pending the establishment of a Palestinian state, whereas Jordan withdrew its claim to the West Bank in 1988.)
Fatah, one of the two major Palestinian political factions, supports this initiative. Its opponent, Hamas, takes a more radical stance. According to Hamas, the whole land currently occupied by Israel, as well as the OPTs, would be part of a future Palestinian state. Hamas has a lengthy history of carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Link
most likely solution
The prolonged fighting in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has damaged diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab countries. While Egypt has offered to intervene, they have yet to hear back from Israel. The bulk of the region's countries are refusing to establish relations with Israel until the Palestinian issue is settled. The European Union has stated its support for a two-state solution and has called for a six-month peace conference. The "two-state solution" remains the most likely solution, with Fatah campaigning for a Palestinian state that encompasses all occupied regions and Hamas arguing for a Palestinian state that includes all occupied territories.
